The Edge Of
Glory
A lot of nature’s beauty come from its imperfection and almost every block of land will have its own unique quirks. Uneven surfaces, odd angles and sloping terrain are common – but they don’t have to be seen as a hurdle to get over. Sydney Pool + Outdoor Design’s Lucy Wadelton consults an expert, Andrew Meddings of Modern Plunge Pools, to explore how to turn a pesky angle into an exciting pool feature.
ALL UPHILL FROM HERE
Andrew Meddings’ Modern Plunge Pools specialises in building on sites that other builders have said were impossible. For a pesky slope or challenging angle, Meddings is determined to help his clients’ dreams come to fruition. To begin the design process for a challenging block of land, Meddings checks local planning controls, easements, access and assesses the site to “get a feel of the property” before giving his client a quote. This stage is also when he can evaluate the severity of the angle – “moderate one in ten, steep up to three in ten, hillside or cliff above in ten.”
“The biggest limitation is the budget” Meddings advises. There are many up-front costs such as geo technology, engineering design, and council regulations that can all add to the bill. Homeowners need to be prepared that even the slightest adjustments – moving pool position or height – can result in thousands of dollars either way. Meddings has built pools on many challenging angles, recently completing a project at Bonnet Bay with a 45-degree slope. The limitation in this project came from council approvals, and ensuring the build wouldn’t encroach on the neighbouring properties. “We had to make a solid barrier behind the build zone so rock and rubble didn’t roll down into neighbours house” Meddings recalls.
“Then we had to crane in a small excavator and crane out all the soil.” With the only access through a precarious set of steep steps, the engineer had to oversee every stage of the built for structural validity.
Despite its challenges, there are endless benefits to building a pool and manicuring a sloped terrain. “Working on a steep block is a great way to reclaim unused land”, Meddings explains. When that land is not being utilised, homeowners are less likely to spend time in their yards but “after building the pool they spend a lot of their time out there” Meddings attests. It is also a great way to increase the value of your home. While Meddings admits it is “definitely more expensive to build on a sloping block” he is quick to reiterate its rewards. “I did a pool three years ago for a customer who wanted to sell his property. We built the pool and landscaped [the property] for $180,000. The pool area was the feature on the ‘For Sale’ sign, and sold immediately for $550,000 over previous value”.
INFINITE POSSIBILITIES
Meddings believes that homeowners have more options than simply trying to hide the natural angle of their land. While you can certainly build a traditional in-ground pool using techniques such as grading, terracing or constructing retaining walls – you are not limited to just that. “The sloping block presents many opportunities” he explains, such as an infinity edge pool with under-deck storage. By suspending all or part of the pool, the land underneath can be utilised, maximizing space and ensuring uninterrupted views from the water. Having an infinity edge on the downhill side is almost “essential”, Meddings explains. But if the yard slopes uphill, you can still install the infinity edge and create a water feature that enhances your entertaining area. Other creative uses of a sloped terrain include staggered landscaped areas, decorative steps, and as Meddings tells us, “We also find fitting a spa at higher level and overflowing to the pool can also be a great feature”.
Modern Plunge Pools has had some great success with sloped terrain projects. Meddings recalls some of the standouts – including a deep infinity edge pool in Turramurra. “The drop from the pool to ground was approximately 6 metres,” Meddlings
recalls the impressive depth, “We built a platform out from cliff face and fitted pool fence to it so it couldn’t be seen.” He’s also worked on projects with vastly varying angles surrounding the pool – varying from 45-degree angles to levelled – although the team always find a way to make a masterpiece.
When asked what the rage is right now, Meddings is quick to identify that modern design is being defined by straight lines. Even land that has odd angles are being “filled with garden or shed filter housings” in order to “square out the look”. He also identifies a personal favourite – the trend of pools being on the same level as the alfresco area. This is “huge at the moment”, and enables the pool to become an extension of the outdoor entertainment. Not only stylish, but incredibly practical too – by evening out the land that the pool and the entertainment area are on, it becomes more accessible for wheelchair users and has the capacity to be child friendly as well.
RISE TO THE CHALLENGE
If you’re considering giving your unique land a makeover, Meddings advice is simple – consult an expert. He recommends being realistic about your budget, and to “be open to suggestions from designers and experienced builders” who know how to make the most of your land and money. To maximise your available space and still include a statement pool, Meddings suggests to keep the pool in proportion to the landscape. “A big pool with no integration to surrounding area is not a good look” he explains. Most importantly, don’t be deterred by your space. No matter the degree of slope, size of the land or varying surfaces, there is a way to elevate – literally and metaphorically – your outdoor area to new heights.
Images courtesy of Modern Plunge Pools and Unsplash